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Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has taken aim at key figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing them of focusing on endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid while neglecting urgent national issues.
Speaking at a consultative meeting organised by the National Political Consultative Group (North) in Abuja, Malami condemned what he described as the ruling party’s misplaced priorities in the face of escalating insecurity, economic hardship, and deepening poverty.
“Just a few days ago, the ruling party held its national summit and, rather than addressing the serious issues of insecurity, economic hardship, and rising poverty, it chose instead to focus on politics—endorsing President Bola Tinubu as the sole candidate for the 2027 election, which is still two years away,” Malami was quoted as saying by THISDAY.
The meeting was attended by several opposition leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi. It formed part of wider efforts by the opposition to build a coalition ahead of the next general elections.
Malami, who served as AGF from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, criticised the APC for failing to adequately address the economic and security challenges facing northern Nigeria. He urged political stakeholders to come together to “reclaim” the country and work towards a peaceful and prosperous nation.
His remarks follow the APC’s national summit held in Abuja on May 22, where the Progressive Governors Forum formally endorsed President Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
In recent weeks, Malami and other members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc within the APC have voiced growing dissatisfaction with the party’s internal direction and strategic priorities.
A communiqué released at the end of Sunday’s meeting, signed by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, stressed the importance of a unified political strategy for the North in forthcoming elections.
“Delegates resolved that the North must proceed with a united front in political choices going forward to ensure the region receives its due share in national political participation,” the communiqué read.
It also criticised the growing trend of political impunity, in which elected officials make decisions—such as endorsing themselves or others for re-election—without consulting their constituents.
“The meeting decried the impunity of elected leaders who, having secured the people’s mandate, bypass their constituents to make unilateral political decisions. This includes recent developments where governors and legislators endorse themselves or others for re-election without any form of consultation. Delegates advised that constituents should hold such leaders accountable to serve as a deterrent.”
Additionally, the communiqué called for a renewed focus on regional industrialisation and productivity as a solution to economic stagnation. It also advocated that future political alliances be based on enforceable agreements to protect the interests of the North.
“The region must prioritise industrialisation and increase productivity across all sectors to escape the current economic quagmire,” it stated. “Moving forward, the North should base its electoral support on binding agreements to ensure the protection of the region’s informed interests—regardless of the origin of the candidate.”
